Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, though this story idea is mine.
*Chapter Four: Advice*
To be truthful, New York was a beautiful state once you left Long Island. Harry always enjoyed driving up to his grandparent's home in the northern part of the state. The drive only took them a few hours, but the trip was well worth it. Harry smiled lightly as they turned around the bend of willow trees.
Harry's grandparents lived in a beautiful two-story home made out of brick. They had a huge front lawn, which was covered with several ponds here and there. Behind their home was a large pool, with a vast forest behind it. Harry loved to come here. He tried to come as often as he could, because it was Harry's escape from the city, his own place where he could enjoy the beauty of nature.
The car that Harry's father drove slowly pulled up the driveway, parking in front of the house. Harry was the first one out, and he quickly jumped up the steps and hugged both of his grandparents as they opened the door. "Hi Grandpa, Grandma," he said. Harry's parents were next to hug them both.
"Hi Mom, Dad," Lily said as she embraced her parents.
Harry's grandmother smiled. "Come in, everybody. You're just in time for lunch."
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------*
"So, it's over?" Padma asked slowly as she looked up at the sky. Cho, who was lying next to her on the blanket, sniffled lightly.
"Yeah, it is," she said. Both girls were in Central Park together, enjoying the cool day lying on a blanket on the side of a grassy hill.
"And you think he likes Hermione?"
"Don't you think he does?" Cho asked.
Padma hesitated answering. "I don't want to hurt your feelings, but yes, I think he does."
Cho breathed in deeply, wiping a few tears away. "God, I'm so fucking stupid. Why didn't I see this coming?"
"No one did. Shit happens, Cho. Why are you still sad? You broke up with him, so why are you still crying?"
"Because I brought this upon myself! I invited her along on that Saturday and...it's my entire fault! I can't blame Harry, because he didn't cheat on me, technically, and I can't blame Hermione because she is our friend and we don't even know if she likes him back," Cho explained.
"But is she still your friend?" Padma asked.
"I don't know."
They looked up at the sky in silence for some time. Clouds passed over the city skyline, blocking out the sun every so often.
Nearly an hour later, Ron arrived, sitting down next to Padma. "Wake up, ladies. I bring gifts of food and drink."
Padma smiled. "Goodie. I'm starving."
"Here's your sandwich, just the way you like it, baby," Ron said, handing Padma a sandwich. He had brought a salad for Cho, but she turned it down, muttering something about not being hungry.
Padma tried to stop Ron from asking his next question, but he didn't see her hand run across her throat, giving him the "cut it" sign. "So, Cho, how was your walk home with Harry last night? Take any lengthy "detours"?"
Padma groaned in failure, and Cho quickly got up, pulling on her jacket. "I'm going to head home. I'll talk to you later," she said before stalking away.
Ron blinked in confusion. "Was it something I said?" he asked. Padma slapped him. "Ow! What was that for?"
"She and Harry broke up last night, you jackass."
"Well how was I supposed to know that?"
"Harry didn't call you?"
"No, he didn't," Ron replied.
Padma blushed lightly. "I'm sorry. I figured that he had."
"We told him we were staying at the night club, remember?" Ron asked.
"Don't worry about it, Ron. Although you didn't know, you do now. Just don't say anything like that again."
"Will she be okay?" he asked.
"She'll be fine," Padma replied as she took a bite out of her sandwich.
"You know, I saw this coming," Ron commented.
Padma's eyes widened. "How?"
"I saw the way he looked at her on that first day she came to school. He was mesmerized by Hermione."
"Why didn't you say something before this, Ron? We could have prevented their breakup," Padma said.
"But what if they weren't meant to be together?"
"Please don't start talking about fate," Padma breathed out as she finished her sandwich.
"Could you at least acknowledge that there could be a person out there who you are meant to be with?" Ron asked as he tickled her sides.
Padma laughed. "Maybe, but what if I'm not the one for you?"
"Then the right person will just have to wait until I'm done with you."
"You jest!" Padma laughed, kissing him. Ron returned the kiss, pushing her back down to the blanket. They kissed more rapidly, drawing out loud breaths. Ron's hand slowly found its way up her body and underneath her shirt. Padma moaned softly as he gently touched her left breast, teasing the nipple.
"Ron," she moaned softly.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"We shouldn't be doing this here," she said, her face blushing crimson.
"Why not?"
Padma slowly turned his face up with her hand.
A few people were standing nearby, staring at them in disbelief. Ron quickly withdrew his hand from Padma's blouse, helping her up while picking up the blanket. They quickly left, leaving their audience alone to continue being shocked.
Padma barely had time to get into her empty apartment when Ron suddenly pushed her up against the wall, kissing her deeply.
"Ron, my parents might be home soon," she said worriedly.
"Then I guess we should hurry," Ron said as he pulled her into her bedroom, the door shutting and locking behind them.
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------*
The water made ripples as Harry touched its surface with his fingers. The ripples started out small, but grew as they expanded outward.
"Thinking of going for a swim?" Harry's grandfather asked as he approached.
"No. I was just relaxing by the water, thinking about certain things."
"Care to tell me about it during a walk?"
Harry slowly stood up from the wooden bench. "Sure, grandpa."
Grandfather and Grandson walked away from the pool and around to the front of the house. They continued walking down the lawn until they reached a few of the ponds. "What's been on your mind, Harry?"
"A lot of things, Grandpa."
"Any of your thoughts have to deal with that girlfriend of yours? I'm trying to remember her name, but it just isn't coming to me."
"Cho."
"That's it," Harry's grandfather exclaimed.
Harry threw a small, flat stone across one of the larger ponds. It skipped on the surface five times before plunging beneath the surface. "She's not your girlfriend anymore, is she?" Harry's grandfather asked.
"No, she's not."
"Well, how did it die?"
"Why do you always refer to relationships dying when they end, Grandpa? It sounds so strange," Harry commented.
"I'm not sure, Harry," he said as he slowly sat down on a large rock. "The way I see it, there is life in all relationships. A friendship or love relationship begins, just like a baby being born into this world of ours, without all of the blood and pain that is. Then the relationship progresses, exactly like the maturation of a child. All relationships go through hard times, and in the end, the relationship either lives on until both people die, or it dies itself."
"You don't think that the relationship still goes on after death?"
"No, I don't, Harry. I know it may sound harsh of me to say so, but I really believe that death is the end."
"Are you afraid of dying?" Harry asked slowly, not wanting to discuss a touchy subject.
Harry's grandfather slowly stood back up. "To be honest, Harry, I'm not. Your grandmother knows how much I love her, and so do you and your parents. I won't have any regrets about life when I die and leave you all."
Both remained silent for several minutes, enjoying the sound of the frogs, bugs, and other animals moving about the pond. "It seems we got a little off subject, Harry. Tell me. How did your relationship with Cho end? Did you lose interest, or do you have feelings for another girl?"
"Both actually," Harry said. His grandfather chuckled. "I never really had much interest. At first I did. Cho was great. She's beautiful. But after being with her for so long, my interest in being with her began to fade. Sometimes when we just sat and talked to each other, I felt like I was talking to myself the whole time. And when I was around her friends, it was the same feeling. I could be surrounded by a huge group of her and her friends and still be alone. That's what it is like around popular people. They never really listen to you. They're too busy caring about themselves," Harry explained.
"Ah. What about this other girl, Harry? What's her name?" his grandpa asked.
"Her name is Hermione Granger."
"How long have you known her?"
"A little more than two weeks," Harry replied.
"She must be some girl to only be around for two weeks before stealing your heart away from Cho."
"My heart never was with Cho, to be honest," Harry said to himself. His grandfather didn't hear it.
"So, does this Hermione know that you like her?"
"I don't know. I don't think she does."
"Does she know that you and Cho have broken up?"
"It's possible," Harry said. "Cho probably told Padma, who probably told Ron, who might have told Hermione."
"And if she doesn't know?"
"Then I will tell her. Personally."
"And then what?" Harry's grandfather asked.
Harry breathed in deeply. "Then, as you old folk call it, the 'courting' stage will begin."
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------*
After leaving the park, Cho didn't feel like heading home right away. Ron's comment had slightly bothered her, but she realized that Padma was right. She did dump Harry, and though she still had feelings for him, Cho realized that she should try to move on. She was just beginning to think of ways to try to get her life back together when one of the last people she wanted to see at a time like this strolled up to her.
"Why hello, Miss Chang," Draco greeted her.
Cho sighed softly. "Hello, and goodbye, Draco."
"Woah, hold on there, Chang. Why are you in such a hurry to get away from me? You've never run away from talking to me before."
It was true. Though Cho disliked Draco sometimes, she always talked to him when she needed to, partially because they were once good friends. At one point in her relationship with Harry, she had almost considered leaving Harry for Draco. Those sexy, gray eyes had somehow pulled her in. Luckily, she had realized what a cold-hearted person he was, but not before she had cheated on Harry and kissed Draco at a party that Harry could not attend. One other thing that pushed her away from him was the fact that he would go all the way with girls in a short period of time, and would do almost anything to do so. Of course, that was then. Cho was different now, more mature, and now a woman.
"Draco, I'm just not in a very good mood right now."
"Problems with Harry? Or maybe your little friend Padma?" Draco sneered.
"Like it would be any of your business," Cho fired back as she quickly crossed the street, heading through an alley for a shortcut. Draco followed, cornering her swiftly.
"Could you at least talk to me about it?" he asked.
"You'd love that, wouldn't you? To relish about me breaking up with him so that you have something else to bother Harry with."
"So you broke up with him?" Draco asked. Cho could already see the smile forming on his pale face.
"Yes, I did."
"No tears? No pain?"
"Of course there was, you halfwit."
Draco stepped closer, practically pressing her against the wall. "Well, when you are over him," Draco whispered as his hand grazed the inside of her legs, rubbing tentatively, "give me a call."
Without another word, Draco quickly turned and left the alley. Cho scoffed lightly, letting out a small whimper. Her breath was coming out in quick succession. As she quickly walked home, wanting to get inside somewhere safe, Cho felt two things: violation, and yet sexual arousal.
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------*
Late that evening, when the sun was setting, harry and his parents left his grandparents' house and headed back to the city. As soon as he got home, he called Hermione from his balcony. She answered on the second ring, and he felt like he was flying when he heard her voice.
"Hi, Harry. How are you?" she asked softly.
"I'm good. You?"
"Perfect. How was it at your grandparents'?"
"It was fun to be up there. Listen, I have a question for you."
"Oh really?"
"Yes. I'm busy for the next two weekends with two tennis tournaments, but I'd like to know if you would want to go ice skating with me after that, when it's colder."
"I'd love to, Harry. Would it be all right to come to your tennis tournaments too? I like to give support to all of my friends. Plus, I like watching tennis, and I'm sure I'll enjoy watching you play."
"Of course you can come. I'd like it a lot," Harry said.
"Good. Well, I guess I'll see you at school Monday?" Hermione asked.
"I'll see you first thing in Chemistry."
"Goodnight, Harry," Hermione said, smiling to herself.
"Night, Hermione."
Both hung up at the same time. Harry smiled softly as he put his cell phone and enjoyed the night breeze, while Hermione laid back on her bed and smiled as she looked at the ceiling of her bedroom.
Author's Note: I know many of you wanted this next chapter to be longer, but I couldn't think of too much to include in it, but I promise the next one will be longer, and I'm actually almost done with it. Please stick with my story. Keep in mind, I'm still in high school with all of my homework and stuff while writing another fic at this current time. Thanks for reading and hopefully reviewing.
*Chapter Four: Advice*
To be truthful, New York was a beautiful state once you left Long Island. Harry always enjoyed driving up to his grandparent's home in the northern part of the state. The drive only took them a few hours, but the trip was well worth it. Harry smiled lightly as they turned around the bend of willow trees.
Harry's grandparents lived in a beautiful two-story home made out of brick. They had a huge front lawn, which was covered with several ponds here and there. Behind their home was a large pool, with a vast forest behind it. Harry loved to come here. He tried to come as often as he could, because it was Harry's escape from the city, his own place where he could enjoy the beauty of nature.
The car that Harry's father drove slowly pulled up the driveway, parking in front of the house. Harry was the first one out, and he quickly jumped up the steps and hugged both of his grandparents as they opened the door. "Hi Grandpa, Grandma," he said. Harry's parents were next to hug them both.
"Hi Mom, Dad," Lily said as she embraced her parents.
Harry's grandmother smiled. "Come in, everybody. You're just in time for lunch."
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------*
"So, it's over?" Padma asked slowly as she looked up at the sky. Cho, who was lying next to her on the blanket, sniffled lightly.
"Yeah, it is," she said. Both girls were in Central Park together, enjoying the cool day lying on a blanket on the side of a grassy hill.
"And you think he likes Hermione?"
"Don't you think he does?" Cho asked.
Padma hesitated answering. "I don't want to hurt your feelings, but yes, I think he does."
Cho breathed in deeply, wiping a few tears away. "God, I'm so fucking stupid. Why didn't I see this coming?"
"No one did. Shit happens, Cho. Why are you still sad? You broke up with him, so why are you still crying?"
"Because I brought this upon myself! I invited her along on that Saturday and...it's my entire fault! I can't blame Harry, because he didn't cheat on me, technically, and I can't blame Hermione because she is our friend and we don't even know if she likes him back," Cho explained.
"But is she still your friend?" Padma asked.
"I don't know."
They looked up at the sky in silence for some time. Clouds passed over the city skyline, blocking out the sun every so often.
Nearly an hour later, Ron arrived, sitting down next to Padma. "Wake up, ladies. I bring gifts of food and drink."
Padma smiled. "Goodie. I'm starving."
"Here's your sandwich, just the way you like it, baby," Ron said, handing Padma a sandwich. He had brought a salad for Cho, but she turned it down, muttering something about not being hungry.
Padma tried to stop Ron from asking his next question, but he didn't see her hand run across her throat, giving him the "cut it" sign. "So, Cho, how was your walk home with Harry last night? Take any lengthy "detours"?"
Padma groaned in failure, and Cho quickly got up, pulling on her jacket. "I'm going to head home. I'll talk to you later," she said before stalking away.
Ron blinked in confusion. "Was it something I said?" he asked. Padma slapped him. "Ow! What was that for?"
"She and Harry broke up last night, you jackass."
"Well how was I supposed to know that?"
"Harry didn't call you?"
"No, he didn't," Ron replied.
Padma blushed lightly. "I'm sorry. I figured that he had."
"We told him we were staying at the night club, remember?" Ron asked.
"Don't worry about it, Ron. Although you didn't know, you do now. Just don't say anything like that again."
"Will she be okay?" he asked.
"She'll be fine," Padma replied as she took a bite out of her sandwich.
"You know, I saw this coming," Ron commented.
Padma's eyes widened. "How?"
"I saw the way he looked at her on that first day she came to school. He was mesmerized by Hermione."
"Why didn't you say something before this, Ron? We could have prevented their breakup," Padma said.
"But what if they weren't meant to be together?"
"Please don't start talking about fate," Padma breathed out as she finished her sandwich.
"Could you at least acknowledge that there could be a person out there who you are meant to be with?" Ron asked as he tickled her sides.
Padma laughed. "Maybe, but what if I'm not the one for you?"
"Then the right person will just have to wait until I'm done with you."
"You jest!" Padma laughed, kissing him. Ron returned the kiss, pushing her back down to the blanket. They kissed more rapidly, drawing out loud breaths. Ron's hand slowly found its way up her body and underneath her shirt. Padma moaned softly as he gently touched her left breast, teasing the nipple.
"Ron," she moaned softly.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"We shouldn't be doing this here," she said, her face blushing crimson.
"Why not?"
Padma slowly turned his face up with her hand.
A few people were standing nearby, staring at them in disbelief. Ron quickly withdrew his hand from Padma's blouse, helping her up while picking up the blanket. They quickly left, leaving their audience alone to continue being shocked.
Padma barely had time to get into her empty apartment when Ron suddenly pushed her up against the wall, kissing her deeply.
"Ron, my parents might be home soon," she said worriedly.
"Then I guess we should hurry," Ron said as he pulled her into her bedroom, the door shutting and locking behind them.
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------*
The water made ripples as Harry touched its surface with his fingers. The ripples started out small, but grew as they expanded outward.
"Thinking of going for a swim?" Harry's grandfather asked as he approached.
"No. I was just relaxing by the water, thinking about certain things."
"Care to tell me about it during a walk?"
Harry slowly stood up from the wooden bench. "Sure, grandpa."
Grandfather and Grandson walked away from the pool and around to the front of the house. They continued walking down the lawn until they reached a few of the ponds. "What's been on your mind, Harry?"
"A lot of things, Grandpa."
"Any of your thoughts have to deal with that girlfriend of yours? I'm trying to remember her name, but it just isn't coming to me."
"Cho."
"That's it," Harry's grandfather exclaimed.
Harry threw a small, flat stone across one of the larger ponds. It skipped on the surface five times before plunging beneath the surface. "She's not your girlfriend anymore, is she?" Harry's grandfather asked.
"No, she's not."
"Well, how did it die?"
"Why do you always refer to relationships dying when they end, Grandpa? It sounds so strange," Harry commented.
"I'm not sure, Harry," he said as he slowly sat down on a large rock. "The way I see it, there is life in all relationships. A friendship or love relationship begins, just like a baby being born into this world of ours, without all of the blood and pain that is. Then the relationship progresses, exactly like the maturation of a child. All relationships go through hard times, and in the end, the relationship either lives on until both people die, or it dies itself."
"You don't think that the relationship still goes on after death?"
"No, I don't, Harry. I know it may sound harsh of me to say so, but I really believe that death is the end."
"Are you afraid of dying?" Harry asked slowly, not wanting to discuss a touchy subject.
Harry's grandfather slowly stood back up. "To be honest, Harry, I'm not. Your grandmother knows how much I love her, and so do you and your parents. I won't have any regrets about life when I die and leave you all."
Both remained silent for several minutes, enjoying the sound of the frogs, bugs, and other animals moving about the pond. "It seems we got a little off subject, Harry. Tell me. How did your relationship with Cho end? Did you lose interest, or do you have feelings for another girl?"
"Both actually," Harry said. His grandfather chuckled. "I never really had much interest. At first I did. Cho was great. She's beautiful. But after being with her for so long, my interest in being with her began to fade. Sometimes when we just sat and talked to each other, I felt like I was talking to myself the whole time. And when I was around her friends, it was the same feeling. I could be surrounded by a huge group of her and her friends and still be alone. That's what it is like around popular people. They never really listen to you. They're too busy caring about themselves," Harry explained.
"Ah. What about this other girl, Harry? What's her name?" his grandpa asked.
"Her name is Hermione Granger."
"How long have you known her?"
"A little more than two weeks," Harry replied.
"She must be some girl to only be around for two weeks before stealing your heart away from Cho."
"My heart never was with Cho, to be honest," Harry said to himself. His grandfather didn't hear it.
"So, does this Hermione know that you like her?"
"I don't know. I don't think she does."
"Does she know that you and Cho have broken up?"
"It's possible," Harry said. "Cho probably told Padma, who probably told Ron, who might have told Hermione."
"And if she doesn't know?"
"Then I will tell her. Personally."
"And then what?" Harry's grandfather asked.
Harry breathed in deeply. "Then, as you old folk call it, the 'courting' stage will begin."
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------*
After leaving the park, Cho didn't feel like heading home right away. Ron's comment had slightly bothered her, but she realized that Padma was right. She did dump Harry, and though she still had feelings for him, Cho realized that she should try to move on. She was just beginning to think of ways to try to get her life back together when one of the last people she wanted to see at a time like this strolled up to her.
"Why hello, Miss Chang," Draco greeted her.
Cho sighed softly. "Hello, and goodbye, Draco."
"Woah, hold on there, Chang. Why are you in such a hurry to get away from me? You've never run away from talking to me before."
It was true. Though Cho disliked Draco sometimes, she always talked to him when she needed to, partially because they were once good friends. At one point in her relationship with Harry, she had almost considered leaving Harry for Draco. Those sexy, gray eyes had somehow pulled her in. Luckily, she had realized what a cold-hearted person he was, but not before she had cheated on Harry and kissed Draco at a party that Harry could not attend. One other thing that pushed her away from him was the fact that he would go all the way with girls in a short period of time, and would do almost anything to do so. Of course, that was then. Cho was different now, more mature, and now a woman.
"Draco, I'm just not in a very good mood right now."
"Problems with Harry? Or maybe your little friend Padma?" Draco sneered.
"Like it would be any of your business," Cho fired back as she quickly crossed the street, heading through an alley for a shortcut. Draco followed, cornering her swiftly.
"Could you at least talk to me about it?" he asked.
"You'd love that, wouldn't you? To relish about me breaking up with him so that you have something else to bother Harry with."
"So you broke up with him?" Draco asked. Cho could already see the smile forming on his pale face.
"Yes, I did."
"No tears? No pain?"
"Of course there was, you halfwit."
Draco stepped closer, practically pressing her against the wall. "Well, when you are over him," Draco whispered as his hand grazed the inside of her legs, rubbing tentatively, "give me a call."
Without another word, Draco quickly turned and left the alley. Cho scoffed lightly, letting out a small whimper. Her breath was coming out in quick succession. As she quickly walked home, wanting to get inside somewhere safe, Cho felt two things: violation, and yet sexual arousal.
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------*
Late that evening, when the sun was setting, harry and his parents left his grandparents' house and headed back to the city. As soon as he got home, he called Hermione from his balcony. She answered on the second ring, and he felt like he was flying when he heard her voice.
"Hi, Harry. How are you?" she asked softly.
"I'm good. You?"
"Perfect. How was it at your grandparents'?"
"It was fun to be up there. Listen, I have a question for you."
"Oh really?"
"Yes. I'm busy for the next two weekends with two tennis tournaments, but I'd like to know if you would want to go ice skating with me after that, when it's colder."
"I'd love to, Harry. Would it be all right to come to your tennis tournaments too? I like to give support to all of my friends. Plus, I like watching tennis, and I'm sure I'll enjoy watching you play."
"Of course you can come. I'd like it a lot," Harry said.
"Good. Well, I guess I'll see you at school Monday?" Hermione asked.
"I'll see you first thing in Chemistry."
"Goodnight, Harry," Hermione said, smiling to herself.
"Night, Hermione."
Both hung up at the same time. Harry smiled softly as he put his cell phone and enjoyed the night breeze, while Hermione laid back on her bed and smiled as she looked at the ceiling of her bedroom.
Author's Note: I know many of you wanted this next chapter to be longer, but I couldn't think of too much to include in it, but I promise the next one will be longer, and I'm actually almost done with it. Please stick with my story. Keep in mind, I'm still in high school with all of my homework and stuff while writing another fic at this current time. Thanks for reading and hopefully reviewing.